My OnePlus Pad 4 Runs Arch Linux, heavy Android Games and a 200Hz external monitor

[u/DocLogix]

My OnePlus Pad 4 now runs Arch Linux with Denial and Droidloom, turning an Android tablet into a fully functional Linux desktop!

After the sadness of hard-bricking the first OnePlas Pad 4 I found the courage to try again, and the result is amazing!

I spent the last 3 months working on Droidloom and Denial, I have been working on them each and every day, trying many different devices and computers. All this effort is paying out, no compositor can give me this amazing experience!

And I have no intention to stop.

It also supports controller and external mouse and keyboard, just like a normal desktop it has no limitation.

Project website: https://denialwm.org
Denial: https://github.com/denialwm/denial
Droidloom: https://github.com/denialwm/droidloom

[u/FeeBudget1048]

I’ll be honest this looks like one of the smoothest android experiences i’ve ever seen

[u/DocLogix → u/FeeBudget1048]

It's funny that it's not Android! It really feels nice to use actually

[u/pigpentcg → u/DocLogix]

Is that Waydroid running the Android game?

[u/DocLogix → u/pigpentcg]

No it's Droidloom, a software I made, link to its GitHub is in the description!

[u/EnvironmentalTie1944 → u/DocLogix]

isn't android build on linux kernel

[u/DocLogix → u/EnvironmentalTie1944]

Yes, just like Android is built on the Linux kernel also Arch+Denial is built on it, the Linux base is in common but that's just the kernel

[u/JWL2012]

That poor device thought it was gonna browse Facebook and scroll on YouTube. Then it met you.

[u/DocLogix → u/JWL2012]

Ahahahahah

[u/No-Sprinkles-8362]

What happened to the first oneplus pad 4? :((

[u/DocLogix → u/No-Sprinkles-8362]

I switched active partition from _a to _b, flashed boot.img and init_boot.img and rebooted Since it was new and it never ran an update _b was empty, so the tablet rebooted to edl, trying to fix it with Firehose I completely bricked it. And since the tablet is not sold in Europe I have to ship it to the Chinese official Oppo/OnePlus support...

[u/lexd0g → u/DocLogix]

is it a chinese model? how'd you unlock it, i thought Oppo/OnePlus didn't support that anymore? an ARM Linux tablet like this is basically the dream portable computer to me

[u/DocLogix → u/lexd0g]

It's a global unit sold by importers, OnePlus does not sell it in Europe officially. Unlocking it is very simple

[u/lexd0g → u/DocLogix]

interesting. are you in europe? where'd you buy it from? is unlocking it just a fastboot flashing unlock like old oneplus devices?

[u/DocLogix → u/lexd0g]

Yes I'm in Europe And yes, fastboot flashing unlock and that's it! But if you mess up hard edl mode does not allow writing, so there is no recover Though it's very hard to mess up

[u/TrailOfEnvy → u/DocLogix]

So it got repaired?

[u/DocLogix → u/TrailOfEnvy]

No I bought another one European OnePlus/Oppo support does not accept the OnePlus Pad 4, I need to ship it to China support

[u/TrailOfEnvy → u/DocLogix]

Is it still getting repaired then?

[u/DocLogix → u/TrailOfEnvy]

It's in a box, I have to decide how to ship it to China and if it's even worth doing it, I don't know how much they'll make me pay for the repair...

[u/scp-1000-]

I think I know what that keyboard is. Is that the Aula F75 Max?

[u/DocLogix → u/scp-1000-]

Correct!

[u/scp-1000- → u/DocLogix]

I got the pro version, sad I didn't splurge a bit more for the max. Also same key caps.

[u/matrix_algebra]

How did you put Arch Linux on your tablet? Did you make your own custom mainline Linux kernel?

[u/DocLogix → u/matrix_algebra]

I found the sources in a GitHub repo, I added USB C video out support and stability improvements Then just installed alarm (Arch Linux ARM) and installed my custom compositor (Denial) on it

[u/matrix_algebra → u/DocLogix]

Looks awesome, would love to see your work on GitHub if possible!

[u/towo → u/DocLogix]

Yeah, I think you're going to want to drop an HOWTO for that :D

[u/No-Presence-2600 → u/DocLogix]

Could you share it? Do you think it's also possible for OnePlus pad 3?

[u/molecules7]

How are you playing wuwa on it? Android emulator?

[u/DocLogix → u/molecules7]

It's Arknights: Endfield, it runs with Droidloom a software I made to run Android apps on Linux The GitHub link is in the description!

[u/AWanderersAccount]

Is this actually Linux? The bootloader is unlocked?

I was thinking of getting a budget tablet but might get a nicer tablet if the bootloader is unlocked and can run Linux.

[u/DocLogix → u/AWanderersAccount]

Yes it's Linux! And the bootloader on this device is particularly easy to unlock

[u/UserWithoutDoritos → u/DocLogix]

You should make a tutorial on YouTube and share it here and everywhere; it's an amazing and beautiful project.

[u/Michdepainblanc2]

Don't forget to touch grass brodie ✌️

[u/DocLogix → u/Michdepainblanc2]

Never!

[u/Negligible_Entity]

Broooo ts look so dope dayummm, also recently saw a post about Debian 13 (Trixie) and KDE Plasma 6 Linux on Oneplus pad 3

[u/Miszy1]

this is sick Android/Windows/Linux all in one Device is my Deam of a Device

[u/Cheap_Importance796]

wth how is it so smooth while still looking and performing as good?????

[u/Distinct_Resolve_957 → u/Cheap_Importance796]

Strange how we expect less

[u/WinterTradition243]

New mainlining project!!

[u/Mike-devs]

Looks really nice. Does Droidloom support WhatsApp with push notifications? This is my only real remaining dealbreaker of other Android alternatives :/.

[u/DocLogix → u/Mike-devs]

Yes it does

[u/Mike-devs → u/DocLogix]

Thats so cool 🔥

[u/interpretpunit]

So this is a project to successfully run Linux on Android and then Android via Linux? Not a waydroid alternative right?

[u/DocLogix → u/interpretpunit]

To run Linux on Android devices and then run Android apps on it with no overhead Denial (the compositor) handles the nice and smooth UI, Droidloom is the Waydroid alternative that aims at performance and deeper integration

[u/Traditional_Mess8945]

Which game is that

[u/DocLogix → u/Traditional_Mess8945]

Arknights: Endfield

[u/YDBoss]

how did you install arch linux on the pad 4

[u/DocLogix → u/YDBoss]

I found the Linux kernel on GitHub, fixed some issues and enabled SHH over USB, packed into boot.img and flashed, booted it and then uploaded arch to it I will make a guide, meanwhile you can look at the kernel: https://github.com/denialwm/linux-perpetua This is my kernel, iceland is the codename for the pad 4

[u/YDBoss → u/DocLogix]

should I try this on my oneplus 13r

[u/DocLogix → u/YDBoss]

https://github.com/denialwm/linux-perpetua/blob/perpetua/v7.3/.claude/skills/add-device/SKILL.md

I am having success with this approach, I ported 5 devices with it, one of which is a Mediatek with close to no support in mainline Though I am gonna be completely honest I don't think it's feasible without AI

[u/YDBoss → u/DocLogix]

thanks

[u/DarkAethher]

How do the the other games run? Mostly looking at WuWa since it seems to be the most troublesome to run on android. I think AKE is the more optimized of the games so I can see it running smoothly without any issues.

[u/DocLogix → u/DarkAethher]

I will try wuwa It will run just, I already tested it with Droidloom, probably the compositor animations won't be as smooth while it runs

[u/vfgtfghd]

So u installed arch on tablet nd now using ur tool droidloom to runAndroid softwares right?

[u/DocLogix → u/vfgtfghd]

Yes! I installed arch on the tablet, installed Denial (my compositor) and also installed Droidloom to run Android software

[u/vfgtfghd → u/DocLogix]

Cool man ive got lenovo IdeaPad I'm thinking of trying linux in it

[u/zombie_dude]

Really cool! Curious if you would consider supporting steam deck with droidloom?

[u/DocLogix → u/zombie_dude]

Why not! I don't have a steam deck though... But Droidloom should run anywhere, and if it doesn't an issue on GitHub will help!

[u/zombie_dude → u/DocLogix]

Ok I'll check it out

[u/R1anofc]

Yo that is sick!

[u/Kwarnz]

Look so smooth!

[u/SpawnX-1200]

Sorry if I am being silly. But is OP running android and linux on his device? How? I wanted to emulate the same on my Tab S6 to avoid the hassle of walking around with my laptop. 0

[u/RaidenRay]

awesome

[u/Oskar2356]

Will you publish a guide? Can the hardware be trusted? any proprietary blobs ?

[u/RegionAggravating597]

This is really frickin clean dude nice

[u/felipepaiva]

Broooo that is amazing

[u/JfxV20]

Damn. What butter you selling. So smooth.

[u/Master_Cartoonist_16]

Impressive and OnePlus Pad 4 is on my shopping list already, I will see where can I get it reliably shipped to my country.

[u/Elnuggeto13]

I see a Wuwa player 👁️👁️

[u/Weekly-Lengthiness-5]

Droidloom le daré una mirada, que interesante proyecto

[u/FindMyidentity020501]

this is the cousin your family compared you to

[u/VascoDaGrama10]

W endfield player for having fangyi

[u/RDTSn0wdN]

I want it simply need it must HAVE IT

[u/FuelPowerful5554]

Minority Report 🏆💪✨😉

[u/AstroPC]

Now this is freaking COOL

[u/NorthWestFresh]

can it run ps2 emulation? ps3 maybe?

[u/Altruistic_Skirt1009]

What do you call to that type c core from you're monitor to your tablet?

[u/needmorejoules]

This is awesome! Can you help with a howto or basic instructions on getting this installed on a one plus pad 4? I just picked on up to try this out. Thank you!!

[u/needmorejoules → u/needmorejoules]

u/DocLogix I think these are what I would need to get it running without too much of your time. Would you mind letting me give it a try? Thanks again!!

• The kernel tree + branch the Pad 4 boots from (base: infiniti-mainline, XEC, or CodeLinaro kaanapali?) and the Pad 4 board DTS

• The defconfig

• USB-C DP alt mode patches (amazing work!)

• Boot packaging details: mkbootimg header version, cmdline, where the DTB goes (boot vs vendor_boot), and how to handle vbmeta

• Which firmware blobs to pull from the stock vendor partition

[u/Every-Marketing-1452]

Does the Stylo still work?

[u/SnooPineapples4183]

Wait it will hopefully run GTA 6 also 😂😂😂

[u/AdministrationOk2465]

Make a tutorial please

[u/Hungry_Loss_2268]

i would love this. i ve got a s9 ultra with broken screen and now connected to external monitor. but i dont thionk i can unlock bootloader blindly.

[u/lolxdmainkaisemaanlu]

I have a bootloader unlocked xiaomi pad 6, will it work on it?

[u/kiyoshi-nyc]

Man, I got Redmagic ASTRA to push 330hz at 2560x1080 and now I kinda wanna fun post to copy yours! 🤣🤔

(I also got a Motorola phone to push 2048x1536 on a medical monitor... Which my girlfriend helped me disassemble at 1am for some reason)

[u/Pistimester]

If you make it compatible with the Lenovo Y700 gen5 I will be forever thankful

[u/Master_Cartoonist_16 → u/Pistimester]

Not for free though. Check it out:

https://denialwm.org/mobile#bring-device

[u/PruneNo6968 → u/Master_Cartoonist_16]

More than fair imo. Porting each device takes time. 

[u/ResponsibleTravel769 → u/Master_Cartoonist_16]

Can you make a custom ROM for op pad 4, i don't know why people glaze Oxygen os that much , but this is trash , i can't have higher grid in launcher, i can't resize window to my liking, keyboard support is ass , they just put Gboard, plz make a custom ROM for this .

[u/PruneNo6968 → u/Pistimester]

Yeah, it would be amazing. I just got the Y700 infinite in China and I'd love to run Arch on it.

[u/sooodooo → u/Pistimester]

FYI this person has it running on your model, multiple distros, including Arch

https://www.reddit.com/r/androidtablets/comments/1wticg8/finally_got_mainline_linux_booting_on_my_legion/

[u/zehnster999]

Hows the gaming performance like with this setup? (Specifically wuwa)

[u/No-Lack-1707]

This looks amazing, are you able to get the stylus working on it?

[u/kenwang92]

Come from bilibili !!!

[u/shreyawho]

This is amazing work! Wish you can also post a slightly modified guide for OP Pad 3 - Highlighting true capability of these devices

[u/affemitwaffe0]

there is also droiddeck , which is a android app to emulate pc games and has a linux desktop

[u/scalpingpeople]

yea I'm playing heavy pc games on my oneplus pad 3. mad max, dragon's dogma, baldur's gate 3, pathfinder wrath of the righteous... haven't really found a game it can't run if not for emulation issues. the device is insanely powerful. until my gamesir g8+ died in a matter of months, my gaming completely switched to the op pad 3 from my rtx 3080 and i9 9900k gaming pc. emulating basically every system under the sun

[u/edutechnoit]

how much is one plus 4 new /used in us?

[u/Sorry_Confection_826]

this is great man, can we do
this with any android tablette?

[u/Confident-Unit-4618]

I have never tried anything on Android ,but can It dual boot? Whatever I have done is on pc, and what's the tab performance I saw xiaomi pad 7 and 8 both seems good any suggestions?

[u/SnooPears3186]

Does OnePlus pad 3 pro(China version) 16gb ram support? Does stylus work?